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Cia

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  1. Cia
    This month we're featuring K.C.'s Pour Me Another. This story was the Reader's Choice Award winner for a Promising Author back in 2013. Why don't you give it a read and find out why it won? (Hint... a lot of people looooved it!)
     




     

    Length: 78,802
     
    Description: ***Winner of the 2013 Readers Choice Awards for the Best Story by a Promising Author *** The city is full of all kinds of people. Being a bartender, Asher Burkhart has seen them all. Atleast he thinks has until Michael Waters shows up.
     
    Reviews:
    Flamingo136 says... KC, I just "found" your story and read it without stopping; well I did have bathroom breaks but beyond that I was determined to absorb every word as quickly as I possily could.
    The story was very entertaining, characters compelling and I was blissfully snarled in this world hoping that everything would work out, knowing that it probably wouldn't.....maybe it will...hoping....hoping.....finally !!!!!
    I really enjoyed Pour Me Another from beginning to end...it must have been maddening to your readers to follow in real time; I feel like I've cheated ...but I don't feel the least bit guilty.
    You have been added to my listed of authors to follow....what pressure for you....LOL
    Thanks for sharing; I'm going to read your other works now................Mike
     
    Shadowrunner says... Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story with us. It was great! Ups, downs, tears and kisses. The best I've ever read. You're amazing!!! :D
     
    Aaron Alan Addams says... Another wonderful story! I read the entire thing in the last twenty four hours. Your talent of writing characters that make the reader, care for... No more than that. Fall in love with them is remarkable. Your storyline is believable, well thought out and funny. (I have my phone read stories to me when I'm busy doing things. I listen with earbuds. My coworkers think I'm listening to music. I do get looks when I burst out with a laugh every now and then.) As I read the epilogue, I felt sad. It felt as if dear friends were moving away and I was never going see them again. Congratulations on a job well done. I only have one suggestion. Sequel?
     
    Slytherin says... Thank you for sharing this wonderful story, K.C ! It's been quite a journey following these two wonderful characters. l love this story
     




     
     
     
     
     

    Remember to check back on Wednesday to see what excerpt K.C. chose to share with readers!


     
     
     
     
     

    Want to show your support and enjoyment of K.C.'s story? Download the banner above for your site signature!


  2. Cia
    April already! Spring is coming to some parts of the northern hemisphere (my local forecast has a record-breaking 85!) but other parts are still snowing. The southern hemisphere is moving into fall and equally capricious territory... so you know what you could do? Stay inside and beat the heat OR cold by reading this month's CSR.
     



    Dean Warner Intrigues


    by Daddydavek


     

    Length: 62,293
     
    Description: A bullet crashes into Dean's room and the intrigue starts.
     
    A Reader Said: From start to finish and everything in between, what an absolutely wonderful story
    The epilogue was short and sweet with a nice wrap up on a positive note. ~ Reader 1810
     
     
     


    Remember, this month's CSR Discussion day will be Monday, April 25th!


  3. Cia
    Did you have a chance to read Renee's three chosen short stories for this month's CSR? No? Well why not? Go, read now! You can do it, but make sure you come back here and leave a thought or two on what you read or Renee's writing in general. First, though, we have an interview to share with our very own site Blog Host, Anthology Coordinator, and Signature Author!
     



    Friends First Line of Sight More Than A Pact

     

    Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?
    I usually at least toss the blankets up over it, because my dogs and cats like to jump on the bed, and if I don’t, then I end up with lots of dog hair and dirt between the sheets. It drives me nuts and makes me itch, so I try to prevent it if I can.
     
    If you were an animal, what would you be?
    So many choices that it’s hard to choose just one. Based on my love of the outdoors and hunting, I’d have to say maybe something like a wolf or a bear. Natural hunters who get to spend their entire lives enjoying the mountains. (Though sometimes I think it would be cool to be a shark, I mean, all the things you’d see!!!)
     
    What’s something personal about you people might be surprised to know?
    I’m actually very shy and really hate confrontation. I’m the type of person that goes to a bbq (or other gathering) and keep to the people I know. It takes time, but if I’m around the same people a few times, then I’ll start to get to know them, but it’s really hard for me to do. And, while I will stand up for my family, there’s very little that I’ll actually confront someone on. I prefer to try and keep the peace.
     
    What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
    That kind of depends. Outside of spending time with my husband, it kind of depends on the season. During the fall, I’m usually hunting on the mountain with my family. During the summer, I love to go camping and fishing. And while I haven’t been doing it as much, throughout the year I also enjoy sewing and designing quilts.
     
    Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
    Coming up with names. Whether it’s the name of a character or a title for a story, it’s always a struggle because I want to find just the right one. Outside of that, I think lately my most challenging thing is focusing enough to actually write. I’ve very easily distracted, so sometimes that makes it hard to actually just sit down and write.
     
    What’s the first thing you do when you start to write a story?
    It depends. It’s rare that I plot out a story from start to finish. For me, I basically just sit down and start writing. I rarely even have the entire cast of characters in mind when I start something new. I basically have an idea of where the story starts and where I want it to go. Now, if it’s a sequel, the first thing I do is go back and skim through the first story, because I want to make sure I don’t have any annoying little continuity issues.
     
    Are any of these stories based on a personal experience?
    None of these ones, but I do have a couple stories on here that are. I think my most personal story on here is “Take a Ride”, which is based on when I had a dangerous drop in blood sugar and scared the crap out of my hubby.
     
    Is there a particular character or theme in these stories who you most identify with, and how so?
    Not really. I guess if I absolutely HAD to choose, I’d say maybe Keith from Friends First, but only because we’ve both been cheated on and found out through friends.
     
    Can you sum up each of these short stories in one sentence?
    Eek, that’s a difficult one, but I’ll try.
     
    Friends First: Keith’s life is falling apart around him, thanks to his cheating bastard of a boyfriend, but things start to look up when his best friend reveals some truths that he’s been hiding.
     
    Line of Sight: Brad was devastated when his boyfriend walked out on him, but, thanks to his six year old son and his son’s teacher, he finally starts realizing that the future he envisioned is within his grasp.
     
    More Than a Pact: Paul and Mac made a pact during college about when they both turned 35, but Paul had forgotten about it until Mac shows up on his doorstep on his 35th birthday, ready to make the pact into reality.
     
    Can you share a little of your current work with us?
    I have a lot of projects in the works, but the one that has most of my focus is Studly Ranch Hands. It used to be called Rough Stock Wranglers (love that title!) but thanks to some major plot changes, the title no longer works, so AJ came up with the working title of Studly Ranch Hands.
     
    Here’s an excerpt from close to the beginning:
     
     
     
  4. Cia

    Epitome

    By Cia,

    I don't search for a lot of inspiration and motivation in my day to day life as I write. I just try to do the best job I can to tell a story that will make others feel what the characters and story have to say. As I was taking a break to enjoy a snack before striving to finally finish my latest contemporary novella, I was struck by the perfect quote to what I want this story, and all my writing, to embody. This is the epitome of what I'm trying to do... and it was right there on the lid of my yogurt.
     




  5. Cia
    This month we're featuring a story I happen to personally enjoy very much: Damphir by Nephylim. There are a lot of twists and turns, and a ton of really interested characters to meet along with the main character, Glory.
     




     

    Length: 61,144
     
    Story Description: A werewolf called Rover, a cat who can fly (among other things) a confused vampire, a spiteful faery and a testy human all confined in the same house and trying to learn to live together. A strange mix and a strange story.
     
    Story Reviews:
     
    CW Prince says... I get so wrapped up in your stories that when I get to the final chapter I almost want to stop reading so the story never ends. This story was no exception. A wonderful story and one I am sure to revist again soon. You never cease to amaze me with your talent and ability to wrap me into the story and take me into the very folded fabric of each and every character. Thank-you!
     
    Seraph74 says... Awww, what a beautiful ending to a beautiful story!!!
     
    I'll admit that I'm one of few gay men who don't actually appreciate sex scenes within a well-written story; it's a bit like a musical can be - the storyline stops while everyone sings (fucks), and then resumes once the music is over. But this chapter... wow. Beautiful music all it's own, and I didn't skip over one bit of it like I normally do. This chapter alone puts you into a league of your own, Nephy; well done!!
     
    And while I should be satisfied that I have just read a fabulous story that I will enjoy reading again (especially now that I know it has a happy ending; I am a sucker for happy endings), I must admit I am gloriously (no pun intended) happy that there will be a sequel to enjoy.
     
    Keep up the great work, Nephy... 'tis truly a treasure to behold!!!
     
    Michael9344 says... I think what interested so much in this story is how fascinating Glory is. So fascinating that each and every thing about him is intriguing; including his future i have no idea where Glory and Sar are headed, but I'm sure as hell going for the ride;).
    Did I mention how good a story teller you are?
     
    Kitt says... It may seem odd to add my review such a long time after you published the last chapter, but i have just recently found the sight and am now working my way through.
     
    I love your quirky characters and the crazy situations they find themselves in. I find myself reading "just 5 more minutes" till i am late leaving for work or up till the wee hours,
     
    So, will we see our little cat getting into more trouble in the future?
     
    Thanks for sharing your work.
     
    Comicfan says... I wonder if I am the only one who caught your last comment. But can it last? Nephy, that is just cruel. Glory is remembering far more than ever before. In the beginning there was just his name and the dim memory of blanket. Now he had a mother who died when he was ripped from her arms and at ten someone he loved who died to protect him. It appears that Glory is gathering glory in the rest the world. I wonder if that is what brought such a change to Pixie. Still want to see/hear more of what happens to Valentine. The sucker deserves the worst. Till your final chapter, I simply sit and wait.
     


    Remember to check back on Wednesday to see what excerpt Nephylim chose to share with readers!


     
     
     

    Want to show your support and enjoyment of Nephylim's story? Download the banner below for your site signature!


     
     
     




  6. Cia
    Did you miss Monday's blog where we announced Nephylim's Damphir is this month's Signature Author feature? You can still check it out here and see what her reviewers had to say about the story! Don't forget to download your copy of the signature graphic if you want to support Nephy and promote her story. If the reviews weren't enough to tempt you to read Damphir, Nephy has picked an excerpt to share with readers:
     
    Check out the very dramatic beginning to Nephylim's story in this excerpt she picked to share:
     
     

    Want to read more? Check out the rest of the story here!
  7. Cia
    Who's enjoying March? Temperatures are warming for the northern hemisphere and cooling for the southern, with a lot of variations depending on where you live. Some people still have heat waves, some still have snow, but change is coming to everyone. This month we're changing it up again by not having just one story featured, but three!
     
    Friends First
     
    Length: 5,712
     
    Description: Keith thought things were going great, unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) for him, things aren't always as they appear.
     
    A Reader Said: Terrific story Renee! ~ Lisa
     
    Line of Sight
     
    Length: 14,537
     
    Description: When Dave walks away from Brad, Brad is devastated but is forced to hold things together for his six year old son. He's not looking for someone new, but that doesn't stop him from noticing that his son's teacher is quite the flirt, but Tony is still Jake's teacher and nothing can come of it. Or can it?
     
    A Reader Said: I thoroughly enjoyed this story. ~ Valkyrie
     
    More Than A Pact
     
    Length: 3,077
     
    Description: Thirty-five years old and still alone, Paul's surprised to hear from his college buddy Mac. Sure, they've kept in touch through the years, but something is different this time. What makes this birthday so much more special to Mac?
     
    A Reader Said: As you can guess, I loved it! ~ Cole Matthews
     
    The CSR Discussion Day will be on Monday, March 28th!
  8. Cia

    C S R Discussion Day: The Holly And The Ivy By Aditus

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Well it's the once in a four year event, Leap Day! For this special day, we have a special story a lot of readers on GA really like! Today we're featuring Aditus' story, The Holly and the Ivy. I hope you enjoyed reading it this month, and you're ready to share your thoughts and questions with Aditus. First, though, I'll share the interview questions I asked him.
     
    If you were an animal, what would you be?
    I’d like to be a large dog: cuddly, empathic, protective, and a great companion. But I asked around and it’s obvious I am a cat and not even a house cat.
     
    What's your favorite room in your house? Do you plot or write there?
    My favorite place isn’t really a room; it’s the roof terrace over my bedroom. I go there to read, listen to music, and yes, sometimes to plot too, but I write at my desk or at the kitchen table.
     
    What’s something personal about you people might be surprised to know?
    Haha. Some things come to mind… I hate pairing up my socks, that’s why I stuff them all into a drawer and just grab two of similar color in the morning. I do have emergency pairs though, just in case I have to make the wrong impression. Yep, I meant to write that.
     
    What brought you to Gayauthors?
    Who, actually. My very dear friend Lisa. I met her at another site. She helped me with the first story I published in English. We talked, became friends and eventually she told me about GA. I lurked around for a while, read your (Cia’s) Carthera stories and Andrew Q. Gordon’s Second Shot, and stayed.
     
    Is there a literary character (in the whole universe of fiction) that you’ve read who you really identified with?
    When I read a story/book and I’m really into it, I always identify with one of the characters, which makes me live through all their pain and joy, and I can become very emotional for the rest of the day–or week. So no, there is no single character I identify with, but I always loved Samwise Gamgee.
     
    Is there anything you find particularly challenging when writing?
    Yes. First, finding the time to write. I prefer writing in the morning and editing in the evening, which doesn’t always fit into my schedule. Second, not to bore my readers with too many details. I have pictures in my head when I write and tend to describe what I see up to the last crumble on the table. In the past, Zombie would always comment: ‘Do we really need to know this?’, or something along those lines. Oh yes, and all my commas… I think I make Lisa cry sometimes.
     
    Is there any quote or saying about writing that resonates with you?
    “I write because I must.”
    There are some authors who have said that; Somerset Maugham is one of them.
     
    When you wrote The Holly and the Ivy, did you plot the story first or just write it?
    I wanted to write a holiday story but not a sappy one, as I already did that the previous year. The only idea I had was about a vampire who was waiting for his human mate to grow up. He was only allowed to see him once a year, at Christmas mass. While browsing Christmas songs, old Christmas songs to avoid copyright issues, I found ‘The Holly and the Ivy’. Something about the title intrigued me. From then on, I just started to write, which is my usual MO. I did a lot of research while the story was underway: the meaning of names, languages, (as I suddenly needed to invent a completely new species), plants and their meanings, Christmas songs, torture techniques… Research always helps me to plot; I look for one thing and suddenly I am on a different topic entirely. Not the most efficient way to write, I know.
     
    How did you decide on the chapter titles? Was it before or after you wrote the chapters?
    I always decide on chapter titles after I write the chapter. It has to be an intriguing title that doesn’t reveal too much. It takes me hours sometimes, and I always ask myself ‘Why am I doing this again. Next time I just use numbers….’
     
    Did the decision to name your main character Noel come before or after deciding on his birth date?
    I can’t really say. It feels as if it happened at the same time.
     
    Your story has strong paranormal vibes with the mating and power themes, yet you made the non-humans aliens. Is this a set up for a later off-world theme for the series, or was it just the way you decide to create beings who were “other”?
    I love mixing genres. That being said, this happens when I plot while I’m already writing a story. Maybe I can explain my thought process with an example: ‘Lonely vampire plus holiday story, but not a ‘normal’ vampire. Maybe a space vampire? What would he do on Earth? Maybe he was here this whole time; maybe he lives here. But not alone. He could be part of species living with us. But why would they do that?’ And so on and so on.
     
    In the end, I was very pleased with my beings who were ‘other’, and I might elaborate some more about them in the next book.
     
    When can readers expect the next story in The King’s Mate series?
    I had planned to start writing Caesura this month (February), but then I had an idea for the Valentine’s Day and the anthology stories, so I’ll most likely start in March and post the first chapters in April.
     
    Well, now you know more about Aditus, so it's time to share your story thoughts!
  9. Cia

    C S R Discussion: The Life Of Seeon By Comicfan

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Can you believe the first month of 2016 is almost over already? Well, it is! This month’s feature was a story by our prompt guru, Comicfan. The Life of Seeon is a fantasy tale DrPaladin called “very imaginative”. Did you read it? Share your thoughts with our other readers or feel free to ask Wayne your questions about his writing and this story.
     


    The Life of Seeon


    By Comicfan


     

    Think back, way back. Can you remember what brought you to GA?
    Honestly, I was looking for something to read and my computer brought up a story by Lugh. So love me or hate me, I’m here because I joined to comment on story of Lugh’s.
     
    What was the last story or book you read/are reading?
    I read constantly. Right now I’m in the middle of Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs. This part of a series that was suggested to me by a friend. I’m always looking for something different to read. We pass books back and forth; it allows me to find some great stories I might otherwise never have learned about.
     
    What advice would you give newer authors, now that you’ve been at it a few years?
    There are three things I would suggest to anyone who wants to write. First, read. Reading helps you to increase your vocabulary, introduces you to new ideas, and allows you to see new ways to present things. Second, listen. I know it sounds easy, but it isn’t. Listen to what people say and how they say it. Sometimes, by listening you learn what people won’t say. This skill helps you in life and when you begin including dialogue. Third, write. Take a few minutes everyday to write. Do a character sketch, write dialogue, or just a flash fiction piece. You can’t improve or expand if you don’t have something you created. Editing comes later, but for now, write.
     
    What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
    My favorite things to do besides write are cooking and keeping in touch with my friends and family. So I’m often cooking something up in my kitchen—soup, a main meal, or some sort of dessert. Otherwise, because I often have insomnia, I write out postcards to stay in touch with people. I am constantly trying to find something new that has something I enjoy on it. I’ve sent postcards with Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland, Tom and Jerry, the Flintstones, dragons, and even unicorns on them.
     
    How do you come up with names for characters? Mashing syllables? Name generator? Baby websites?
    It depends on the story. Usually, my characters are named after people I know. Although I will go looking for names occasionally that emphasize what I am looking for. Seeon came about because of a TV show, where this woman was breaking down her name and exaggerating it, altering how it was pronounced. Sean became Sea-n which became See-on or Seeon.
     
    Are you a plotter or a pantser?
    I wish I could say I was completely a plotter, because it would make my life so much easier. I start with a character sheet. Who are they, friends, family, and what sort of problems? For a short story I plot it out. However, stories have a tendency to grow and I find I follow where the character wants to take me.
     
    Is there any subject you just won’t write about?
    Abusing a child is an absolute no in a story.
     
    The Life of Seeon is a fantasy story. Is there a specific fantasy element in the story you must enjoyed coming up with/using?
    The technology used in Seeon is fun. The scanners Oma uses, the walls coming to life with flowers, and the way both cultures use the technology and sciences they have. The Waza family sees it as a tool for all, while the Toleran Empire sees it as power.
     
    What’s your favorite part of the story?
    Seeon’s growth. You watch as his life is constantly ripped apart; he should be angry and mad. Instead, he greets with world resigned to make the best of whatever comes his way. He expects nothing, but you can’t help but be happy for any piece of goodness that comes his way.
     
    You recently finished The Life of Seeon. Is it complete or is there a sequel in the future?
    The Life of Seeon is complete. I don’t know if I will pick up Seeon and Mika to continue the story as I originally planned. My life hasn’t allowed me the time I wanted to finish the projects I started, so until I can, I don’t want to make promises I can’t keep.
  10. Cia
    For February's Signature Feature, we're bringing you one of the earliest GA authors who has represented our Signature group for a very long time. Have you read any of his short stories or novels on the site? He has a ton! If not, why not start with this month's feature, Butterflies Fly Free.
     




     

    Length: 83,133
     
    Description: Leo meets Colt as he’s leaving a gay bookstore. Colt is on his own and looks young, but there is an instant connection them. Leo wants to help, so will a bond form between them or is Leo just being used as a patsy?
     
    Story Reviews:
     
    Jaro_423 says... A light read and very pleasant too. Colt was a delight and so suited his shortened name as also did Leo. You conveyed Leo so well as an older rather stuffy almost pedantic type, ideally suited to guide the young Colt. I had difficulty remembering that Leo was still in his early twenties at the beginning of the story because he often appeared so much older which was as you obviously intended. They were a good foil for each other. Probably an unlikely match but many reasons why they should have fallen in love and stayed together. Nicely romantic! Thank you. You also conveyed Leo's difficulties in guiding Colt thru this time of his growing up and the dilemmas he faced and overcame with such wisdom. I liked the fact too that you portrayed one gay man as an ideal parent whereas the conventional couples each failed in their different ways.
     
    Daithi says... Very enjoyable story. Even though at times it probably hurt Leo I'm glad he had the wisdom to let Colt sediment and fly on his own. The last chapter proved that his wisdom and love of Colt. Enabled both of them to have a life filled with love and friendship, not only with each other but with Bert and Jason as well. Your butterfly analogy fit exceedingly well. The failed relationship with Colt and his parents showed what could happen by a too tight, paranoid treatment, whereas Leo relationship which enabled Colt to grow with freedom allowed him to expand and experiment. As a result Colt's parents lost out on a relationship with a loving son but Leo gained a beautiful lover and partner for life. Thank you for a very enjoyable story.
     
    Rishabhpar says... awesome story buddy. I loved the multiple twists in the story like where jason and colt were caught in the rather compromising state and the how leo handles it maturely and literally allows colt to spread his wings. But Colt succumbs to his love and realises his mistake. And when Colt saves Albert.
     
    You know if Colt hadn't tried a little out of the shell with Jason the story would have become very unrealistic. but that part gave a diff flavour to it and brought out the love which some of us die for.
     


    Remember to check back on Wednesday to see what excerpt Bill chose to share with readers!


     
     
     

    Want to show your support and enjoyment of Bill's story? Download the banner below for your site signature!





  11. Cia
    February is a month for romance! Many people, even if they aren't part of a couple, really associate this month above all with love and devotion--or overpriced chocolate treats and sappy cards. I wanted to keep with the romance theme, but I didn't want to take readers through a run of the mill romance, not at all. That's why this month, we're featuring an alternate earth tale with aliens and vampires. Enjoy!!
     



    The Holly and the Ivy


    by Aditus


     

    Length: 45,321
     
    Description: My grandmother made me talk to Diarmad Guerin every year after Christmas Mass since I was three. The letter he gave me a few weeks before my eighteenth birthday changed my whole world.
     
    A Reader Said: Such a great chapter! I am sad to see the end of this story, but I know there is more to come. ~ Litlover
     
    This month's Discussion day will take place on Monday, February 29th, so make sure you're ready!
  12. Cia

    Weekly Wrap Up!

    By Cia,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    It's been busy this first week of February! There's a lot going on for readers and authors to enjoy. I'll remind you, just in case you missed something or put it on the back burner (there's so much to read this week!!)

    Monday we started off with the CSR (which stands for Can't Stop Reading, btw, since so many people don't know!) Book Club. This month Aditus story, "The Holly and the Ivy" is the feature. He'll be answering my hard-hitting questions and replying to reader comments on the last Monday of the month, February 29th. Don't miss it!

    Wednesday was our monthly Ask an Author feature organized by Dark. We heard from Bill W, Robert Rex, and Sasha Distan. Do you wonder who Bill's favorite Castaway character is? Or how Robert Rex makes up his men? Or if Sasha Distan is really one person? Next month Dark has questions answered by M.A. Church, Julie Hayes, and Carlos Hazday.

    Thursday was it! V-day... or at least the deadline for the Secret Admirer's Short Story contest! Renee took the time to load up all the stories sent in by the authors--who remain anonymous--and now it's time to vote for your favorite. You still have time to pick your favorite of the 13 stories and vote before the polls end on February 11th.

    Anthology Announcements:

    ***NOTE: All Deadlines are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team**
    2016 Spring Anthology: Crossing the Line - Due February 26th, 2016 2016 Summer Anthology: Wicked Games - Due May 26th, 2016 2016 Fall Anthology: Blindsided - Due August 26th, 2016 2016 Winter Anthology: The Forgotten - Due November 26th, 2016 All Pre-2016 Anthology Themes - Due December 14, 2016

    Premium Updates:
     
    The Degan Paradox
    by Rob Colton; Book 3 of Galactic Conspiracies *Premium*  

    Signature Updates:
     
    My Brother Daniel
    by Nephylim  
    Walker Road
    by Comicality  
    Remembering Tim
    by CarlHoliday  
    Grip
    by Topher_Lydon  
    The G. M. Os.
    by CarlHoliday  
    No Flash
    by Cia  
    Innocence & Carnality
    by Mann Ramblings  
    Sword of Kings: Tempered by Fate
    by Bill W; Book 3 of Sword of Kings  

    Classic Updates:
     

    Things We Lost
    by Dabeagle  

    Promising Updates:
     
    Headstall's Reflections
    by Headstall  
    ...And All Shall Fade To Black
    by Layla  
    Falling Apart
    by craftingmom  
    Holding Back
    by Thorn Wilde  
    Treading Water
    by Headstall  

    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  13. Cia
    For those who enjoyed my A Maze for Three anthology series, I released it as an eBook with about 12,000 more words in edited and extra scenes, like a new ending!

     




    Miah’s always had something to prove—to himself, his family, and all the people who thought he’d fail. It doesn’t matter that he has to do it all alone, he won’t give up on his dream. On the cusp of a new beginning that could mean the difference between success and failure, he decides to finally enjoy a night out at a city bar with his roommate before he leaves for the bleak interior forever. He never expected to catch the eye of two unusual men there, but are they even human?

    Sure, he knows aliens sought sanctuary from the Earth Unity Coalition, but he’s never met any before… that he knows of. After all, the aliens can take human form, so it’s impossible to know them on sight, but the mystery of their kind has always interested him. When they take matters into their own hands and decide to court him in their tradition, things go horribly wrong.

    Now Miah’s hurt, his dream is on the verge of disappearing forever, and the life he always saw for himself is no longer an option. They'll have to find a way through the wrong turns and dead ends to have any hope of a new path for the three of them.


     

    Purchase for just $2.99 at:




    All Romance eBooks



    Smashwords (25% off with code: HN89T)









  14. Cia
    This December we're featuring Don H's 600k plus story, Beloved, for our Signature week. This story originally brought me to GA, and it's still ongoing six years later. Are you a fan? If you are, make sure you check out Monday's feature showcasing the new Stories ad as well as a downloadable graphic you can place in your signature to spread the love.
     
    There are many great moments in this story, but back when I used to follow it, this was one of my favorite between the two main characters, Cam and Kevin. So much happens to both of them, but it's this moment in time where they started to be tested. Did you have a chance to get a copy of the signature graphic posted on Monday's blog, if you want to share your fan appreciation of Don's story?
     


    Beloved

     

    That's just a small taste of the ups and downs between Kevin and Cam as they face the challenges when life tells you that it's time to grow up. To read more, check out Don H's Beloved!
  15. Cia
    Midway through January, and it's time to feature a new ad designed for one of our Signature Authors! This month's author is Don H, and the feature is his still ongoing serial (now over 500k!) story, Beloved. For all of our fans of coming of age stories, this is one of the long-time epics available on GA.
     




     
     
     

    Length: 643,157
     
    Description: Cameron MacKenzie and Kevin Stolz had been best friends and almost brothers their entire life. When a series of bad things happens to their families, the boys find themselves getting closer than they ever considered before.
     
    Story Reviews: ​
     
    Mr. Curiosus says... Loved it cried and laughed so much I nearly had water coming from two orifices
     
    California Miss says... I just finished reading the story up to chapter 48 and I'm loving it!
     
    I read Working it Out a couple of years ago and was very excited to see that you had another story.
     
    Hope to see another update soon!
    Cheers!
     
    JohnJones2150 says... I have been enjoying this story from the begining. Thank you for keeping this story going.
     
    Cynaira says... Thank you for this wonderful story. I have been following it for quite awhile now. Cam's struggle with his recovery, the love in this family. The emotions you put into the story. Now, Father Mason's struggle. He has flown to the right home to work through his troubles. Will patiently wait for your next chapter as they are always worth the wait.
     


    ​If you want to support Don H and share your appreciation for his story, download and share the graphic below in your signature! I've included the story url if you want to make it clickable.






    http://www.gayauthor...y/don-h/beloved

  16. Cia

    C S R Feature: The Life Of Seeon By Comicfan

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    The start of 2016 is already here, as hard as that is to accept. Where does the time go? I just realized today that we’ve been doing the CSR Features for 3 years now! Is it still popular? Do you have any ideaas for tweaks from the usual feature? Let me know! In the meantime, this month we’re going to enjoy an oldie, but goodie, in Comicfan’s story, The Life of Seeon.
     



    The Life of Seeon


    By Comicfan


     
    Length: 28,566
     
    Description: Seeon Toleran is the fifth child of the ruling royal family. His life was one of study and devotion to his Gods. Then war came and the world Seeon knew ended. There were decisions that were made for him which drastically altered the direction of his life. Suddenly the world of the priesthood is gone as an option in Seeon's life. Instead he is made Ma' Nee. What will this mean to a youth who has known neither love nor choice? Will this end his world or open new vistas? Time will tell.
     
    A Reader Said: This is a very imaginative story that ends up highlighting the differences between two countries and their cultures. In a significant way the reader can draw parallels with real existing cultures and customs. ~ drpaladin
     
    This month’s Discussion day will take place on Monday, January 25th. Make sure you’re ready to take part!
  17. Cia

    December Signature Feature: Heart Of The Tree By Graeme

    By Cia,


    Signature Feature
    Welcome to the new Signature Feature where we feature one of our lovely Signature Authors with a site ad banner and signature graphic. This month's featured author is Graeme, and he chose to showcase his story, Heart of the Tree. Check out his ad banner that will run for the next month on the site as well as a graphic you can add to your personal signature if you want to help him share the story!
     



     
    Length: 192,363
     
    Description: The Tree is a local fixture in the rural town of Morton. When it starts to die, the whole town rallies around to try to save it.
     
    Story Reviews:
    Starboardtack
    I am not sure how to contact the author directly, but perhaps this will get through. Thank you for an utterly delightful read. When I started reading the series, I believed this would be just another predictable gay love story. How wrong I was. The twists and turns in the plot were unexpected but most welcome. It is clear that you have a respect for your craft, your characters, and your readers. Again, many thanks.
     
    Stephen
    Graeme, you can guess by now how much I enjoyed this story, and may wonder
    if I'd have anything else to say about this final chapter and the way you ended this
    story. It was happy and real. But I was especially happy to see that you'd managed
    to tie up all the loose ends. They were all tied up in neat, leafy boughs.
     
    I love The Tree.
     
    -Pardon that awful pun, but it popped into my head last night and...
     
    uncle goodheart
    Whew! That was quite a story! I just started it a couple of days ago, so I never had to wait for a chapter, though I did spend ALL DAY on January 1 reading. It may have been a great learning experience, too, as It was an introduction to life in Austrailia, a country I may never visit. I loved the characters, as they seemed to mirror those in rural USA in many ways, though true acceptance in the USA is much more an urban trait. I can generally relate each of the characters and their relationships to people I really know, so thay were all very real. Especially the NEGATIVE ones who try to spoil the happiness of others they refuse to know or understand.
    I can say, too, that parts of the story caused me physical symptoms of grief, as well as moments of elation and joy. Yes, the story "got to me" in a very personal way. Further, I will say that this isn't the only story I've read by this author, and the author's name is precicely what caused me to pick this title, from a list of stories, to read. I am not the least bit disappointed in my selection.
    Unfortunately, too few people (especially the young ones) are interested in reading stories anymore, but I think that's because they're just too damn lazy to put in the effort of excercising their immaginations. That's sad, because authors go to a lot of trouble to produce these stimulating treasures. Thank you for this one!
     
    impunity
    After several false starts (I had a little trouble getting past the prologue), I read this entire story in a couple of days. It was really engaging, and I found myself really caring about your characters. I like that your writing is not necessarily about gay people, per se, but about how they fit into society as a whole. And about how attitudes change as the idea of being gay becomes less "other". Thank you for a great read!
     

    If you want to support Graeme and help share his story this month, download the graphic below for your personal signature!!






  18. Cia

    C S R Discussion Day: A Rescued Life By Lilansui

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Did you have a chance to read Lilansui's A Rescued Life for our November CSR Featured story? We had a lot of time, so I hope readers enjoyed the 50k tale. If not, well maybe this interview and the reader comments below will help motivate you to check it out. Make sure you leave your comments and review for Lilansui, who promises to pop in throughout the day/night as possible.
     
    Single people often have more time to write. Are you single?
    Yes, I’m single. . It is a source of stress sometimes, but most days I enjoy it. On the more time to write, I think it depends on what is going on in my life. I have a full-time job that keeps me on the move. I often use the hours between office projects to write, or I write deep in the night while the world sleeps around me. If life events happen, the writing time suffers more than my job since I have to make a living…Moan…but otherwise that’s life as a single woman. When I’m shunning writing and responsibilities, you may find me procrastinating in pajamas, and lazing in bed having a really bad hair day listening to music.
     
    Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?
    I do make my bed in the morning. It’s great coming home to a neat home, so I do my best to make my bed every morning. Unless I’m not going anywhere all day, then I stay in the bed all day, and in that case, I don’t make the bed. (These lazing around days are hard to come by lately; I selfishly guard them when they happen.)
     
    What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
    When I’m not writing, I go out visiting friends and family, which can mean some extensive travel, as I am not always living close to them. When am home, I’ll bake, go swimming, or laze around the house doing absolutely nothing. There is peace in doing nothing too.
     
    What brought you to GA?
    I love reading as much as I write. So, some years back I was following Cia’s stories on another site, and when I had read through everything, and was reading Hypnotic she’d stopped updating for a long time. I wanted to know the ending and thought she might have posted elsewhere, so I searched online and found her work on GA. That is how I found the site. I was a non-participant at the start, reading without signing in, but I ended up registering. That is my ‘Found GA’ story, Cia’s stories brought me. I loved the community, and it gave me the courage to post my first story…it was harrowing making that choice to post, but I did it, and haven’t stopped posting since then.
     
    What’s the best part of being an author for you?
    I’ve always written. Coming up with characters in my head, and making them go through life…that’s always been second nature to me. However, as an individual who has known what it’s like to write alone, and what it’s like to share stories with people, I believe and feel the best part of being an author is getting a surprise email from a reader asking, “How are you doing? That story you’re writing, I love it, and when can you finish it?”. It doesn’t seem like much, but I find that simple connection is the best part of writing. Having someone, even if it is one person, read your work and encourage you to keep going, or even comment on what they find interesting or not. This kind of support is priceless and precious, so I am most grateful for my readers.
     
    Do you have any writing rituals?
    I have this corner in my house, right by the window in the living room. I have set up a desk there, and that’s where I write. I always get the best stuff written in that corner. Of course, good earphones, and music that inspires the muse are a must. I suppose that’s the ritual, listening to music and writing in that particular place.
     
    Did you find it more or less challenging writing a story set in the US?
    I will say it was both. It was more challenging because I had to research extensively…more than when my characters are people in cities I live in and know, going through cultures I know. I was nervous trying to portray a man living in the small town of Penn Yan, and was afraid readers would say ‘well, that’s not how we do things’. I rechecked facts, and freaked out when I had to write Jason’s scenes because of this fear. His scenes saw many rewrites. It was also less challenging in terms of writing Toshiro, the deposed gangster in New York; there were no rules, anything could happen. I could let Toshiro explode on paper and see what happened next. That was liberating.
     
    Many stories contain a scene or character aspect influenced by a real life person or event in the author’s life. Can you share one or more from your story?
    Hmm…on characters: there is Sakura. I have a friend who is tough like Sakura, not as unfeeling or cold, in fact, my friend is a very warm person, but she is also very tough because of her experiences. She can beat a guy up if he causes trouble for her…and I often admire her strength. . Of course, as I’ve said before, Mako, the final villain…was a mean girl in my school days.
     
    As for scenes influenced by a real life person…when I was writing this story, I went shopping with someone very close to me. We were walking down the aisle and I noticed this person putting all these things in the cart I preferred, and that just made me pause, that this person would know that without me saying anything, I think it is a very special thing. Usually you have to tell someone, oh not that peanut butter, I prefer this one because….hehehe so, I included it in this story.
     
    You give Toshiro a lot of challenges to overcome in his back story and in the story itself. How did you keep his character “real” to keep him from being too much of the turned-to-good hero facing his evil past cookie cutter type?
    Toshiro’s story starts with him left for dead, which to me felt like he was a man who didn’t have anything left to lose in life. At that point, he was beyond low, beyond…he just had nothing. To keep him real, I used this template in my mind. From that point, Toshiro’s sense of loyalty, his sense of gratitude, and even his thoughts on life would be different from someone who has always had a secure and comfortable life. The challenge now lay in discovering how this perspective would look like. I relied a lot on Jason as my compass to draw Toshiro from the grey area. Toshiro’s salvation would always lie in his relationship with Jason because anyone in Toshiro’s life would lead him deeper into the grey area. It was a challenging enterprise…and many deleted scenes, but I think it came together without him seeming like a hero.
     
    Do you have a favorite part of A Rescued Life? Why or why not?
    There are many favorites in this novel but if I were to choose two, they would be:
    The scene where Jason visits Toshiro in the hospital when he brings Toshiro newspapers. Jason takes off his silver chain to show Toshiro what he does, and Toshiro decides to keep the flawed silver chain because it is like him. The conversation they have there is my absolute favorite because it is the reason why Toshiro later comes back to Jason.
     
    The scene where Yuriko tells Toshiro his real name. I thought that moment would be profound for any mother who had lost their child as she did. Meeting this stranger she loves so much and not knowing what to say but the truth in her heart…I cried writing it.
     
    Runner-up would be the little getaway from the hospital coz it was fun to write.
     
    What other projects are you focused on now?
    I recently completed A Healing Heart which was the second project following A Rescued Life. Now I am focused on writing A Haunted Love, which is ongoing here on GA. I have also promised someone I consider my little brother …to post something new, so I have been writing a short story. I’m hoping it will go into the December GA ‘Blackout’ anthology. I hope I make the deadline, if not, I will post it on its own when it is ready. I am always writing, so if you come upon an unfinished story on my list, please know I will finish it. This year has been especially busy, so I’m struggling with the writing a lot, but I’m fighting through the logistics of real life and working to give the characters in my head time.
     
    Thank you for this feature.
     
    I actually didn't know I led Lilansui to find GA, but I'm glad I did! Okay readers, don't forget to leave your thoughts and comments below.
  19. Cia
    This month we're featuring CJames' Circumnavigation with a whole new style of Signature features. Monday you probably saw the current ad banner running in Stories, as well as a signature banner fans can use to show their appreciation of his story. If you haven't, go check it out now and download your copy! We also featured several reviews of the story to whet your interest, if you haven't read the story. Now, usually authors will get to choose the excerpt we share on this feature post, the goat has been MIA for some time. I've decided to share the most important part of a story, imo... the initial hook!
     

    Circumnavigation

     

    Prologue
    May 15th, 1997
     

    The dawn came as with a thunder, a fitting omen for the day.
     
    Fifteen miles northeast of Cocoa Beach, Florida, the catamaran Ares, a fifty-five foot charter boat, bobbed in the light northerly chop. The passengers didn’t mind. Not one bit. Their attention was elsewhere; on a structure just onshore to their northwest, which was a collection of pipes and gantries, topped by a lightning rod and holding a large orange tank astride two smaller white columns. At first glance, it looked like part of an oil refinery. It was, however, something far different: Launchpad 39A of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
     
    Watching through her binoculars, Captain Rachel Carlson told her passengers, “The orbiter access arm is retracting. Won’t be long now; about seven minutes.”
     
    Rachel tuned a portable radio to NASA’s PA channel, which called out the events leading up to launch. At twenty seconds, they began calling out the countdown, and Rachel smiled as her passengers held their collective breaths. Though it had occurred over ten years before, the Challenger Disaster was still a poignant memory.​
     
    Read more here or go straight to the story!

     
  20. Cia
    This month we begin a brand new feature to promote our Signature Authors. Instead of the computer background each month, we're going to promote the featured Signature author's story with an ad banner that will run in Stories. I'm also adding a banner that works for personal signatures on the site for the authors and their fans to use to help promote their feature! This month, we start off with C James!
     




     

    Length: 1,082,090
     
    Description: Trevor, through little fault of his own, finds himself with few choices. Desperate and hunted, he decides that his best chance is to head out to sea on his boat, for a circumnavigation of the Earth. His boat, Atlantis, is a fifty-five foot cruising catamaran, bequeathed to him by his mother prior to her mysterious disappearance. Come along for the ride and explore with Trevor, as he discovers many things, not the least of which is himself.
     
    Story Reviews:
    Jess 30519 says... What an amazing adventure! What a great story! It is wonderful how you have managed to maintain the pace and energy throughout all 158 chapters. And I cannot imagine how many hours you must have spent in researching so many details, scientific, geographic, nautical and all the other aspects that make this such a compelling piece of writing. I have been a sailor all of my life, owning and chartering mostly monohulls but an occasional multihull, and at no time while reading "Circumnavigation" did I encounter a wrong note or false premise. Amazing!
     
    Thank you so very much for writing this story! I thoroughly enjoyed it and am kicking myself for putting off reading it for so long, but I'm glad I did wait for a time when I was able to enjoy it properly. Thanks again!
     
    Miles Long says... I had to thank you C James one last time for such a thrilling adventure ride. This was my second read, I enjoyed it so much the first time I couldn't stop to comment (it was too damn compelling) but I promised myself that I would go back, because a story this well thought out and researched deserves reviews aplenty and all the likes GA will allow me . Thanks again to you and your team.
     
    Melethen says... I am terribly sorry it took me so long to read this wonderful, suspense filled story. For several months I have been addicted to it and finally finished it today!
     
    Thanks for spinning this tale and sharing it with us. I know I am rather late since the story was written several years ago, but for some reason I put off reading it until now,
    I really can't thank you enough.
     
    NK says... I have read, and re-read all of your stories. I have enjoyed each one, but Circumnavigation is the best (in my not so humble opinion). I hope that you will continue to write, so that your readers can continue to enjoy your work!!
     
    Sandrewn says... CJames
    From the beginning to the end. Thank you ever so much.
    Sandrewn
     
    If you want to support CJames and share you love of this story, download this signature sized copy of his ad banner and share it on your profile now! I've included a link to the story, if you want to make your signature clickable!!
     




     


    https://www.gayauthors.org/story/c-james/circumnavigationCJ

  21. Cia

    C S R Feature: A Rescued Life By Lilansui

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Who else thinks this is a good month to curl up with a story and a hot/cold beverage? I do, I do!! This story has been called beautiful, fabulous, and wonderful, so I thought it could use some feature time. Check out this month's featured story, read it, then be ready to come back and share your thoughts on the discussion day at the end of the month!
     



    A Rescued Life


    by Lilansui


     

    Length: 53,313
     
    Description: Stabbed and left for dead, Toshiro Shindo is at the end of the rope: no hope, no one to care, no reason to live. And then Jason rescues him, and shows him kindness and then love. When the man who stabbed him returns for him, Toshiro fights to keep the life Jason rescued.
     
    A Reader Said: You really amped it up at the end...it was great throughout, but you finished it with a bang. ~ Cannd
     
    ​

    This month's ​discussion will take place on Monday, November 30th.


  22. Cia

    C S R Discussion Day: Halloween Short Stories

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    'Tis the witching week! Perfect timing to talk about the three short stories we featured this month by GA authors, Gee Whillickers, Cynus, and Bill W. Did you make time to read them? They're only about 5k each, so if you haven't, check out the announcement blog post with links to each one. If you did, now's the time to add your comments and reviews! First, of course, I have a great interview with each author to share.
     
    Cynus:
     
    What’s your favorite Halloween memory or tradition?
     
    This memory starts off really sad, but it has a happy ending. My first boyfriend, and my best friend, died in the spring. He was killed in a motorcycle accident when we were sixteen. Over the next few months, I lost nearly all of my friendships because of the resulting depression. I simply couldn't be around people, and the kids I knew just didn't understand. I did have one friend who stood by me, and as we entered fall he started inviting me over to his house. I was still so entrenched in my depression that I didn't take his invite, but a week before Halloween we were walking home together, and he suddenly grabbed my arm and started pulling me toward his house at the point where we normally said goodbye to each other. I resisted, but he kept pulling, and so I pulled back harder. He eventually gave up and went his way, but I could tell he was hurt by how I was acting. Over the next week, I kept thinking about what had happened. I knew he was going out trick-or-treating with his younger brother on Halloween, and I decided I was going to ambush him and then follow him back to his house, surprising him for Halloween. It worked, and I ended up spending the night at his house. Our friendship grew from there, and we're still best friends today, and have been roommates for almost seven years now. I credit that night with the beginning of the friendship which saved my life, and it happened on Halloween.
     
    The spooky season often inspires new twists based on old tales. Did that come into play with your story?
     
    Can't say that it did. If I did pull from some other story I knew, then I definitely don't remember which story it was. I've always been fond of scarecrows, and martial artists, and pagan gods, and cute kids with mohawks... I just threw them all together. Oh, there is this one episode of Supernatural which influenced it a bit, so I suppose there's a connection there.
     
    Why did you pick your particular creepy critter? A love of ghosts? A desire to tell your own vampire schtick? A fascination with the living dead?
     
    There's something about scarecrows which I've always found fascinating. I don't really know why, other than perhaps the thought of a guardian over the harvest sparks my pagan brain moving in awesome directions. Which is probably why I chose to make Jack a god as well.
     
    Do you have a favorite part of the story? A character or scene?
     
    The big reveal, when Jack jumps off his pole and advances toward Jordan. Don't know how well I conveyed it in the writing, but that part played like a movie in my head over and over again. Jack's monstrous and magical appearance, and the look of horror on Jordan's face... I loved every moment of fear the bully experienced.
     
    Do you have other Halloween/horroresque story that you want to share with readers? It can be your own or one you really enjoy. (include links if you want, and I’ll add those)
     
    Halloween is actually what started me writing online. My first story I ever released was part of a Halloween collection at Awesomedude.com, but it's also hosted here now. The Drawbacks of Being a Monster is one of my favorites, and you can read it here: http://www.gayauthor...ofbeingamonster. I also have a new story which will be released for this Halloween. I don't plan on releasing it until Monday, as it's entered into a blind contest on another website where people are to vote without knowing who the authors are, but I'll surely advertise it once it posts.
     
    One of my favorite authors at AwesomeDude, Lil' Octopus, released this little gem last year, and I found it as exhilarating as most of his work. It's title is "Lost in the Woods", and you can find it here: http://awesomedude.c...n-the-woods.htm
     
    Gee Whillickers:
     
    What’s your favorite Halloween memory or tradition?
     
    Halloween movie marathons. When I was a teen a couple of friends and myself would rent two three Halloween themed movies, the cornier the better, and on the weekend nearest to Halloween we'd get together and watch these until all hours. Afterwards, we'd get into these weird half serious, half ridiculous existential discussions about the 'deeper meaning' of the movies. Eventually this always got sillier and stupider until we were imagining all kinds of things from hidden messages about alien invasions to political critiques on the organization and design of suburban neighbourhoods.
     
    Yeah, we were a weird bunch. But I remember those nights, and the fun we had.
     
    The spooky season often inspires new twists based on old tales. Did that come into play with your story?
     
    Absolutely! The story was a pretty generic teen boy-meets-boy tale, but the boys' zombie costumes gave me a way to have some fun with the too-often used tropes of these kinds of stories. One of the things Halloween stories in our genre can often do is play with the idea of hiding, wearing costumes, playing a role, something that strikes a chord with many of us depending on the challenges we faced growing up and often still face when we become adults.
     
    Why did you pick your particular creepy critter? A love of ghosts? A desire to tell your own vampire schtick? A fascination with the living dead?
     
    There's something about zombies that I find fun. Even before the current zombie craze with The Walking Dead and World War Z and the like. You can do so much with the idea, it's not quite as limited as the rule set around Dracula, or Werewolves, and they seem to strike a real deep primal fear in us when its done right.
     
    Do you have a favorite part of the story? A character or scene?
     
    Absolutely. The climax, when Val and Danny end up kissing with their friends all yelling about zombie rights. The whole 'they can't help being undead' and 'if they're eating each other's brains then they won't go after yours' stuff was just a blast to play around with.
     
    Do you have other Halloween/horroresque story that you want to share with readers? It can be your own or one you really enjoy.
     
    There's so many good ones. 'The Halloween from Hell' by Cole Parker is great, if a bit dark.
     
    http://awesomedude.c...n-from-hell.htm
     
    One of mine from a few years ago that I had a lot of fun with is 'The Costume'
     
    http://awesomedude.c...whillickers.htm
     
    I'm also writing a new Halloween story that I hope to have finished and edited within a short period of time. Look for it!
     
    Bill W:
    ​
     
    What’s your favorite Halloween memory or tradition?
     
    I grew up in the country, so I couldn't go trick-or-treating by yourself until I was a teenager. Out of all of the neighbors' houses I'd be taken too, I remember one place most of all. It was an elderly woman who lived alone and made some extra money by making cookies and selling them at her little roadside stand throughout the year. At Halloween, she'd give us one of those cookies when we stopped by. They were as large as a bread plate and the most delicious cookies I think I've even eaten. We had the choice of a sugar, chocolate chip, peanut butter or molasses cookie, but she always let me take two.
     
    I also remember some of the pranks I was part of as a teen, although I'll skip going into detail about those, in case there was no statute of limitations on our activities. lol
     
    The spooky season often inspires new twists based on old tales. Did that come into play with your story?
     
    Actually, mine started out being based on a news report I'd once heard, where the coroner started to perform an autopsy on a man and discovered he wasn't dead after all. Adding that to my fear of what it must be like being trapped in your body and not being able to communicate, the story just grew from there.
     
    Why did you pick your particular creepy critter? A love of ghosts? A desire to tell your own vampire schtick? A fascination with the living dead?
     
    Although this story isn't quite the same, I think it grew out of my morbid fascination throughout my youth about the stories of people who'd been buried alive. Again, being trapped in their own bodies, although I'm not sure if any of them ever realized what was happening at the time, especially when they were being buried.
     
    Do you have a favorite part of the story? A character or scene?
     
    I like the part where you can hear his thoughts about what he wants to do, but he's unable to put them into action or communicate with anyone that he's not really dead. I also like the very end, when he finally figures out what actually saved him.
     
    Bill didn't want to toot his own horn, but I will say he has several other Halloween stories to choose from, such as A Halloween Nightmare, From Beyond the Grave, Role Reversal... and more! You can find them here.
  23. Cia

    Interview: K C

    By Cia,


    Author Interviews
    Ready for more Halloween fun? This month we're featuring KC for the Signature background with his story A Grim Fairytale. Have you read it yet? You can check out my review of his story here. What about his themed desktop background? It's spookily fitting for this time of year! But first, you can't miss this interview where KC shares a little information of the... naughty variety.
     
    What’s your favorite Halloween tradition?
     
    With a name like Grim, Halloween has to be my favorite Holiday! Growing up, Halloween was a big event in our house. Our entire neighborhood was always decked out with lots of creepy crawly things and my family had a huge costume party that everyone came to. It was THE party of the year! If you missed it, you’d hear about it for weeks.
     
    Ever been on the wrong side of an egging? The right side?
    I plead the Fifth! LOL
     
    Oh yeah, as a kid we did it all. Egging houses, toilet papering trees, ding-dong-ditch, flaming bags of poop….you name it, we did it and now that I have a teenager I’m getting payback for all my years as a hellion. We’ve only had our house egged once (knock-on-wood) but we live really far out in the country so it’s a lot harder to pull those pranks than when I was a kid growing up in the city.
     
    Do you have a favorite ghost, ghoul, or gruesome creature? Or do you prefer cuddly creatures?
    There’s enough time to be cute and cuddly the rest of the year. Halloween is for ghouls!! The scarier the better. I love special effects make-up. The entire month of October I work at a local Haunted House called Shocktober and I’ve gotten really good at torn flesh, bloody gashes, and faces being ripped off. It’s so much fun scaring people.
     
    What inspired you to write the story A Grim Fairytale?
    This story was written as a birthday gift for a very dear friend of mine. He loved it ((and I saved money on wrapping paper! )) I’ve always wanted to write my own twisted fairytale and this story was so much fun to create. I tried to keep in the style of the Brothers Grimm, but of course with my own Grim flair.
     
    Do you have a favorite scene or static image from the plot?
    There are so many scenes I like, but my favorite is when Magda kills the piglet and Marcus brings it back to life. Even at a young age, it’s clear that Marcus is a pure soul and his mother can’t tarnish who he really is inside, no matter how much she tries.
     
    Magda means ‘maiden’ and Marcus is ‘dedicated to Mars’, the Roman god of fertility. Given how Marcus was conceived, were those name chosen as a subtle tweak of the characters for the storyline?
    I always put way too much thought into character development. Even if it’s a short story and I’m just scratching the surface on paper, I always have a complete backstory, even if only for myself. Not only do the names need to fit the character, I want it to feel like they have morphed into the personification of who they were made to be.
     
    Your story brings into a question of the duality of good and evil—how does each come into being and do they exist only with or without each other? How do you view that aspect of the A Grim Fairytale?
    I’m a big believer of the duality of good and evil, yin and yang, light and dark. You can’t have one without the other. My favorite lines from the story: “Everyone knows the tales of All Hallows Eve. On this night, the boundary between our world and the spirit world thins. For one night alone, demons can pass through to our realm. Yet as dark and terrifying as this night might be, out of the deepest darkest blackness comes the purest light.”
    Magda’s dark heart is balanced by Marcus’s wholesomeness.
     
    Do you have any other holiday-themed stories you’d like to mention, maybe ones that go beyond the spooky season?
    Yes! I have a Christmas story floating around out there called, “Mistletoe and Handgrenades.” It’s a flash fiction story about what happens after your life explodes and you now have to pick-up the pieces. It is a happy holiday treat. Check it out.
  24. Cia

    Featured Story: A Grim Fairytale

    By Cia,


    Featured Stories
    Welcome to the Signature Author week. This month we're featuring KC's A Grim Fairytale, in honor of the Halloween season. Did you read it? If not, don't worry, my review won't spoil the story for you... but hopefully it will make you want to read it! If you haven't downloaded your background yet, get it here!
     



    A Grim Fairytale

     

    by KC



    Signature Author


     

    Length: 3,176
     
    Status: Complete
     
    Reviewer: Cia
     
    Mention Grimm, and I’m in. I was a fan of the original tales with their non-Disney scenes and endings, so when I then read that this Grim family was much older and darker, I was eager to keep reading. The story soon reads with the ‘Once upon a time’ schtick, but then it definitely goes in a frightening direction.
     
    *Warning* The first part of this story is very dark, just like the reader is warned. We meet a queen bent on worshiping the dark side and dragging her people along with her. The ritual she performs actually summons the devil… but then things go very, very wrong.
     
    And that’s just the beginning of how Magda pays the price of her hubris. We’re introduced to Marcus, her son, but he’s not the heir she expected to have. His nature is very different from hers, and no matter what, he’s rooted firmly in his own path.
     
    That’s about as exact as I’m going to get on the plot. I’d hate to spoil this story, since there is still plenty of October left to enjoy the twisted tale. There are a lot of layers to the story. The names of the main characters, Magda and Marcus, both hold interesting meaning if you relate them to their scenes in the story. (Check out the interview on Wednesday for more information on this!)
     
    KC’s writing, as always, involves a lot of vivid imagery and action. The visuals of the ritual and following scene is especially chilling. There are some complex themes in this story beyond the traditional good versus evil that all fairy tales employ. I also found several subtle tidbits that readers can enjoy, too.
     
    Now, all good fairytales end with ‘And they all lived happily ever after’, but this is a Grim tale, so there’s no guarantee evil will get its comeuppance… or even that you’re rooting for good to triumph by the end of the story. That’s the best part of this short story—it’s full of the unexpected!
  25. Cia

    C S R Feature: Halloween Short Stories!

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    It's a month for a variety of spooky treats, so I thought I'd bring you a few snack-sized Halloween short stories. These are 3 short stories by our site authors featuring a corn maze, a costume party at a bar, and a few zombies--what would Halloween be with a few ghouls, right?
     
    A Halloween Nightmare
    by Bill W
    Length: 5,895
    Description: Colby is a college senior who’s looking forward to dressing up in his costume and spending Halloween having a good time at a gay bar. However, his evening of fun quickly turns into an enduring nightmare, but will it ever end?




    A Zombie Valentine
    by Gee Whillickers
    Length: 5,736
    Description: Halloween parties, zombies, and teenagers. What could happen?
     
     
     



    King of the Corn Maze
    by Cynus
    Length: 4,679
    Description: Every Halloween, Jack works at the "Haunted Corn Maze". Some years are more eventful than others, for sometimes the spirits of the harvest are called upon to protect those who who live within the boundaries of the corn field.
     
     
     



     

    The Discussion day for October will take place on Monday, October 26th. Don't miss out on your chance to enjoy the spooky spectaculars!
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